Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary Vertebrates Field Trip

This year Devon is using the Bob Jones Science Level 3, which begins with vertebrates and invertebrates. From vertebrates the subject went into the five types of vertebrates: fish, birds, mammal, reptiles, and amphibians. This gave me the idea to plan a field trip to Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary. After calling the center and planning a date with the Naturalist Shannon, we were set.

The 35 parents, students, and siblings were divided into two groups. Our group took the outside tour first. On the naturalist asked the children to play "I-Spy" and look for evidence of animals. First we spied Cypress Knees, which are roots that grow up and come out of the ground.

We also discovered poison ivy growing on tress and learned that it doesn't bother the animals and give them rashes like

us.

We found evidence that a bird was on the boardwalk by the evidence left behind. Then we began to look up for the bird or any evidence that it may have a nest in the surrounding trees.

Continuing on our walk, we found raccoon tracks, a frog,and these mud piles thatwerehome to crawfish. The raccoon tracks were around these crawfish homes, which made us believe that they eat the crawfish.

We then met the Hawk that was injured and now lives at the Sanctuary, because it can not live in the wild.

The second part of the trip included stations set up inside the nature center.

What lives in the Pond?

The kids were asked to use "cup" hands and see what was living in the pond water. Behind them in a tank was a 20 year old Albino Snapping Turtle. He was a big hit with all the kids.

So, this wasn't a "station" but my Caroline LOVED these stuffed critters.

Amphibian Station

This station had a two frogs and several tadpoles to watch. It also had cards with frog facts and how far the frog could jump. Most kids could jump as far as a Bull Frog.

Skull Station

This station had skulls to pick-up and observe and determine, if the animal had K-9 teeth or not and to guess what type of animal the skull belonged too. We were able to see a bear, deer, beaver, skunk,and possum skull.


Which Beak is BEST?

For this station, the kids were asked to use various tools to gather food and determine which tool was best for what job. For example, a small test tube filled with water was provided and a pipet and a spoon to test which would be best. The pipet would represent the hummingbird beak and the small test tube a flower. This could even be used as a lesson in its self and then you could discuss the various beaks of birds.

Bat Bones

This station had a bat skeleton poster attached to the all and four turtle shells on display. The kids were to compare the bat skeleton poster, the turtle shells, and our human skeleton.

At the end the naturist gave the kids a live animal show featuring a painted turtle and king snake.